Written by: Bella Birch-Hurst, On-board Naturalist
As the 2024 whale watching season draws to a close, it leaves behind a trail of awe-inspiring memories and remarkable discoveries. This year brought breathtaking encounters with diverse whale species including Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke and Gray Whales. We also were able to witness Steller and California Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Sea Otter, and a plethora of marine birds.
April 30th, 2024
- Time: 10:30am
- Location: Albert Head
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whale
- Eco Type: Bigg’s (Individual: T049A1 ‘Noah’).
- Notable Behaviors: Travelling West in the Juan de Fuca Strait
May 12th, 2024
- Time: 17:30
- Location: Spieden island
- Species: Killer Whale
- Eco Type: Bigg’s (Individuals: T123s).
- Notable Behaviors: Travelling either side of the boat
May 14th, 2024
- Time: 14:00
- Location: South Juan De Fuca Straight
- Species: Killer Whale
- Eco Type: Bigg’s Killer Whales
- Notable Behaviors: Travelling and young ones playing
May 23rd, 2024
- Time: 17:30
- Location: Port Angeles
- Species: Humpback whale
- Notable Behaviors: Travelling South Near Port Angeles, WA
June 5th, 2024
- Time: 10:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales
- Notable Behaviors: Mother and calf travelling together
June 6th, 2024
- Time: 17:30
- Location: East of Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales
- Notable Behaviors: Mother and Calf together. Calf breaching!
June 13th, 2024
- Time: 10:00am
- Location: Port Angeles
- Species: Humpback whales and Biggs Killer Whales
- Notable Behaviors: Two species in the same area- Humpbacks swam right through pod of Orcas
June 30th, 2024
- Time: 17:30
- Location: Juan de fuca strait
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales
- Notable Behaviors: Feeding-you can see pink organs in their mouth! And spyhopping!
July 6th, 2024
- Time: 10:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales
- Notable Behaviors: Tail lobbing and (synchronous!) pec slapping!
18th July, 2024
- Time: 18:00
- Location: Darcy island
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales (T109a’s)
- Notable Behaviors: Breaching, kelping, spy-hopping and tail slapping!
July 27th, 2024
- Time: 19:30
- Location: Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales (T109a’s)
- Notable Behaviors: Hunting and feeding in the sunset
August 3rd, 2024
- Time: 14:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales, bald eagle, and Steller Sea lions
- Notable Behaviors: Male Steller Sea Lions fighting
August 15th, 2024
- Time: 18:00
- Location: Darcy island
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales (T049A’s)
- Notable Behaviors: Surfacing through the sunset
August 22nd, 2024
- Time: 14:00
- Location: Discovery island
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales (T049As) and Humpback whales
- Notable Behaviors: The Bigg’s were kelping and playing with each other
September 16th, 2024
- Time: 14:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales
- Notable Behaviors: Feeding on bait balls and producing ‘rainblows’.
September 22nd, 2024
- Time: 15:30
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales (T060s , the brothers). And Humpback whales.
- Notable Behaviors: Biggs were spy-hopping and hunting. Humpbacks were lunge feeding.
September 29th, 2024
- Time: 12:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales and Steller sea lions
- Notable Behaviors: Big Steller Sea Lion feeding on an octopus
October 7th, 2024
- Time: 12:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Humpback whales , turkey vulture
- Notable Behaviors: Mother and calf together, calf breaching and pec slapping lots. Kettling vultures.
October 12th, 2024
- Time: 12:00
- Location: Race Rocks
- Species: Bigg’s Killer Whales and Humpback whales, & Sea Otter
- Notable Behaviors: Feeding
Thank you for joining us this whale-watching season! We’re so grateful to have shared the awe and excitement of seeing these magnificent creatures with you. As we wrap up this unforgettable year, we invite you to come back next season for more incredible moments on the water.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard to #ExperinceTheWild
All photos used taken by Bella Birch-Hurst.
